NIH Rare Diseases:41 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (s. maltophilia) infection is a healthcare-associated bacterial infection caused by s. maltophilia bacteria. these bacteria typically colonize (live in or on) areas of the body without causing infection. however, people who are hospitalized and receiving treatment for other conditions may be susceptible to infection, especially those with severely impaired immune systems. factors that increase the risk for s. maltophilia infection include admission to an intensive care unit, prolonged hospitalization, hiv infection, cancer, cystic fibrosis, neutropenia, recent surgery, trauma, mechanical ventilation, and previous therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics (medications that target a wide range of bacteria). s. maltophilia bacteria are resistant to many types of antibiotics; however, most strains can be treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment.
last updated: 3/9/2015